Boehringer Ingelheim: Nine Out of 10 AF Patients Are Concerned About Stroke and Many Want to Be Part of OAC Treatment Decisions, New International Survey Shows

Nine out of 10 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) surveyed were concerned about the risk of a stroke.¹ Oral anticoagulant (OAC) treatments are usually prescribed to reduce this risk³ and the vast majority of patients actively sought information about their treatment.^1,2 Many patients even wanted to be involved in the choice of the oral anticoagulant.^1,2 These, and further results from a first-of-its-kind international survey of over 900 AF patients, were presented at the 2^nd European Stroke Organisation Conference, 10–12 May in Barcelona.^1,2

“For the first time, we have in-depth data about the perceptions and treatment preferences of AF patients across multiple countries,” comments Dr Deirdre Lane, Senior Lecturer in Cardiovascular Health at the University of Birmingham, UK, who led the research. “One key result of the survey is that many AF patients want to be involved in the decision about their oral anticoagulant treatment. This desire mirrors recommendations in current professional guidelines, which call for a consideration of patient values and preferences when choosing oral anticoagulant therapy.”

The survey highlighted the importance of the interaction between patients and their treating physician: for over three quarters (76%) of AF patients, their doctor was the key source of information on their OAC treatment.² On average, patients consulted two to three information sources in total.² Still, patients’ knowledge of the causes, signs and symptoms of stroke was inconsistent – only about half (48%) of AF patients have good or moderate knowledge of stroke symptoms, causes and risk factors.^1,2

Stroke knowledge influenced a number of patient preferences. Patients with good or moderate stroke knowledge:

• ranked stroke prevention higher as an important factor in the choice of their OAC (65% and 54% vs. an average of 47%)²
• preferred to be involved in the decision about the OAC treatment more often (73% and 62% vs. an average of 56%).²

“Strokes related to AF are particularly severe – they can be fatal and survivors may be left with significant disability requiring life-long care,” advises Jon Barrick, President of the Stroke Alliance for Europe. “It is crucial that AF patients are empowered to actively participate in the management of their own condition, especially as AF is a chronic disease, which requires continuous treatment. An open dialogue with their doctors about their condition, how to manage it, and which treatments to take to reduce their risk of stroke is one crucial element of that.”

About the Survey 
The AF Patient Preferences survey is the first patient-focused research of its kind to explore the perceptions and treatment preferences of AF patients taking oral anticoagulant treatment for stroke prevention. 937 AF patients from Canada, Germany, France, Japan and the U.S. participated in the international, prospective, cross-sectional survey. Patients at varying levels of stroke risk, including those who had recently experienced a stroke, were eligible to participate.^1,2 Further results from the survey will be announced later in 2016.

About Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
AF is a chronic disease, which affects about 140 million people worldwide.^3,4 People with AF are more likely to experience blood clots, which increases their risk of stroke by five times.³ 

Appropriate anticoagulation therapy has been proven to be highly effective in preventing strokes related to AF and saving patients from its consequences.⁵ The decision about oral anticoagulant treatment to reduce the risk of stroke requires a careful individual assessment of the benefits as well as risks of treatment.³

About Boehringer Ingelheim 
Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, Boehringer Ingelheim operates globally through 145 affiliates and a total of some 47,500 employees. The focus of the family-owned company, founded in 1885, is on researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing new medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

Social responsibility is an important element of the corporate culture at Boehringer Ingelheim. This includes worldwide involvement in social projects through, for example, the initiative “Making More Health” while also caring for employees. Respect, equal opportunity and reconciling career and family form the foundation of mutual cooperation. The company also focuses on environmental protection and sustainability in everything it does.

In 2015, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 14.8 billion euros. R&D expenditure corresponds to 20.3 per cent of net sales.

For more information please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com

1.    Lane DA, Meyerhoff J, Rohner U, Lip GYH. Influence of Recent Stroke on Perceptions about Oral Anticoagulation Therapy: Results from an International Survey. ESOC6-0596. Presented on 10 May at the 2nd European Stroke Organisation Conference, Barcelona.
2.    Lane DA, Meyerhoff J, Rohner U, Lip GYH. Influence of Atrial Fibrillation Patients’ Knowledge of Stroke on Perceptions about Oral Anticoagulation Therapy: Results from an International Survey. ESOC6-0603. Presented on 10 May at the 2nd European Stroke Organisation Conference, Barcelona.
3.    Camm AJ., et al. 2012 focused update of the ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation. Eur Heart J. 2012;33(21):2719-47.
4.    United Nations. World Population Prospects. Key findings and advance tables. 2015 Revision. Available at: esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/publications/files/key_findings_wpp_2015.pdf Last accessed: May 2016.
5.    Hart RG. et al. Meta-analysis: antithrombotic therapy to prevent stroke in patients who have non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146(12):857-67.